Kelly O. Memorial Nursing Scholarship

I am an almost 33-year-old Mom of three kids. My goal has always been to become an RN with a BSN. I started my medical field journey right out of high school and received my certificate in nursing assistance. I moved across the country and went back to school and received my Associate of Science in Medical Assisting. I have finally decided to go back to school to get my RN BSN and was recently accepted, I will start May 8, 2023. I want to show my children that you can always reach your goals no matter how old you are. I will be attending college full-time and working full-time. I am applying for as many scholarships as possible to help lower the burden of payments I would need to make due to being a single parent. I have always been passionate about nursing and the medical field and I can't wait to fulfill my dreams! For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a nurse. In my high school yearbook when they asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I answered, Registered Nurse. I grew up surrounded by amazing nurses my aunts are both registered nurses and my grandmother is an LPN. I loved hearing stories from the Emergency Room, Operating Room and ICU. I grew up believing that nurses are the real superheroes. I also helped my mother raise my two younger brothers and I wanted to continue to care for people as a career. Right out of High school I went to CNA classes and became certified when I was 18. I moved across the country when I married an active-duty airman and worked as a CNA in the Long Term Care Unit at the local hospital. While working at the hospital I started schooling for my Associate of Science degree and Medical Assisting. I also became certified by the American Association of Medical Assisting. After graduating I completed my training at the hospital on the air base and was then hired at the local family medicine clinic. During my years as a Medical Assistant, I have seen a lot of different diseases. I have worked through the Swine Flu, Zeaka virus, Ebola and Corona Virus. During the COVID-19 virus when I decided that I wanted to pursue nursing even further. During the pandemic, I learned so much about medicine and I wanted to help as much as I could. It has been 13 years since I received my Associate of Science and I am now starting classes for my BSN RN on May 8. I want to continue moving up the ladder of nursing and continue to help as many patients as possible. Being in the medical field has been the most rewarding carer. I could not imagine doing anything else. I can not wait to start school, I am both excited and nervous. I have even recently considered going even further to become a Nurse Practioner. I feel like the sky is the limit and even though I am not fresh out of High School I have years of experience to bring to my education and my classmates. My three kids are also supporting me and asking me if we can start doing homework together once I start school. They have also told their friends that their mommy is going to be a superhero. I want to continue to help my community by working in rural health and hopefully mental health. I enjoy volunteering at the local domestic violence shelter. I can make an impact in my community!